Primary/Junior Mathematics Part 1 – Discussion Post #2

After spending time researching and exploring different teaching models, choose one to summarize, providing suggestions on how to incorporate this approach into your math class. Post your model along with a brief description of it and its application and usefulness in the primary/junior classroom.

Teaching Model

Doug Clements: Intentional Play-based Learning

Brief Description

Educators must stop choosing either a strictly “play-based” or strictly “academic” approach to teaching/learning mathematics

Extreme play-based approaches to learning, where the teacher is completely removed from the learning and the students are in full control of their play, is not the essence of the best play-based curriculum

Extreme academic approaches, where the students sit at desks and answer problem after problem, produce mechanical, uncreative thinkers

The best type of learning including all kinds of learning experiences, including both play-based and guided learning

Educators should prompt students and give creative challenges that develop high-caliber mathematical thinking and reasoning while the students are engaging in play-based learning

Application and Usefulness

Kids develop higher levels of social skills, emotional skills, and self-regulation skills when they emerge in guided play-based learning

Learning is enhanced when students can plan and established roles during their play, while in a guided environment

Need to talk about the mathematic sand development the appropriate language to convey learning, which can be further assisted by an educator guiding the engaging in the student’s play

Suggestions for Integration

Play-based learning should be purposeful with some pre-determined structure

Challenges could be presented throughout the play-based learning to encourage further extensions of learning and tier the expectations for specific groupings or individuals

Check-ins with students throughout the learning helps to reinforce mathematical language and develops the student’s ability to explain their processes and strategies